Dear Fellow School Board Members:
This issue I have a few areas of thought for you.
From Unprecedented to Undefeated
I believe one of the most used words I hear is unprecedented. I performed an analysis using Google Trends and the week of March 22nd the word reached a score of 100 in peak popularity on a scale of 0 to 100. And, yes, since the governor’s state of emergency declaration in response to the coronavirus pandemic, we did indeed find ourselves facing experiences and circumstances that most of us never encountered before.
In the midst of the sudden school shutdowns back in March, a group of parents, educators, and other interested citizens joined in with a local literacy-focused non-profit and formed a virtual literacy program “to help keep students engaged in learning and to provide a sense of calmness to our children during the school shutdowns.” Nearly six months later the effort continues. Recently I read the book The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander. The Undefeated is a poem Mr. Alexander wrote in part to remind his daughter, her friends, her family, and himself that we must “keep rising.”
Let us make school year 2020 – 2021 with all the uniqueness it may present to us be a year of “keep rising,” of being undefeated in meeting the needs of each and every student we serve.
A Few Updates
The virtual environment is not slowing the commitment of the VSBA Board of Directors and our service on your behalf. The board held its virtual meeting on August 19th and I want to share with you some of the ways I and other directors are representing or serving you:
- The Executive Committee met with Secretary of Education Qarni and State Superintendent Lane to discuss reopening questions and concerns received from the membership.
- Mr. Teddy Martin took part in the State Secretary of Education’s COVID-19 Education Workgroup.
- Ms. Barbara Kanninen and Mr. Cardell Patillo are representing VSBA on a Stakeholder Workgroup to Adopt Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Elementary and Secondary Schools.
- Dr. James Coleman spearheaded the work of the VSBA Legislative Positions Committee.
- Tidewater Region Chair Douglas Brown and Northeastern Region Chair Barbara Kanninen hosted virtual regional business meetings.
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The African American Heritage Education Commission (AAHEC) presented its report to Governor Northam on August 31st. I had the honor of serving on the AAHEC.
A Reminder
October is Bullying Prevention Month. I encourage all of us to take the opportunity to review our online policies and give some thought how we may support cyberbullying awareness and best practices.
-RAJ
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Rodney A. Jordan
VSBA President
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Issue Highlights
VSBA Launches School Board U
VSBA School Finance Services
Legislative Updates- Take Your Legislator to School Month
An Introduction to the New Title IX Regulations
2020 VSBA Media Honor Roll
Communications Tips: Social Media
Leadership Profile: Barbara Kanninen
October is VSBA Bullying Prevention Month
Spotlight Article on Brunswick County Public Schools
COVID Update Week of September 21-25
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Executive Director
Gina G. Patterson
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FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR |
At a recent orientation, I was asked if school board minutes should be formally approved at the next regularly scheduled school board business meeting and if there was a reason for timely approval of previous meetings. As you all know, minutes are important details that school boards cannot ignore. Keeping accurate records of each school board meeting is vital. Board Minutes represent the actions of the board and the school division and are considered legal documents that could, at some point, be used in court as evidence. Virginia law requires numerous things to be reflected in the minutes of school board meetings. This includes the authorization of expenditures, information relating to meeting participation via electronic means, school board members’ votes on any renegotiated contract for the superintendent, motions to go into closed session, and certifications of closed sessions. Remember, if an action isn’t in the minutes, most will maintain that it didn’t happen.
Good minutes help drive a plan of action for your board and the superintendent and his/her staff. They clarify how, when, why, and by whom decisions were made. They strategically plan for the action items (which help get the work done), and they may serve as information to those board members who weren’t able to attend the meeting.
A formal motion to approve minutes of a previously held board meeting is usually not necessary; approval for the school board minutes can be placed under the consent agenda. It is best practice that school board minutes be prepared from a meeting as soon after it ends, so that board members receive them prior to the next meeting to act. A board should not go months without acting on previous board minutes; if you do, there is no official record of the actions of that school board meeting until they have been approved. If you wait too long to distribute the minutes and act, memories could fade along with the possibility of correct follow through on items. Inaccuracies can also sneak into the minutes, if not prepared in a timely manner. There should be no reason that a board waits months at a time to approve school board minutes. It is not a bad idea to have a board norm on how and when the minutes should be ready, distribute for review, and action taken at the following business meeting of the board.
GP
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VSBA is excited to launch the new VSBA School Board U.
School Board U is an area of the VSBA website filled with learning opportunities for school board members to explore important topics related to your service on the school board.
The topics are organized into six strands including:
• Governance and Leadership
• Fiscal Responsibility
• Student Achievement
• Hot Topics in Education
• Policy and Legal
• Advocacy
Each strand contains training sessions available on demand. Under each strand you will find a course number, title and description of the session. It will also be notated if this is a free session or if payment is required. If the session is free, you will see a link to register for the recording.
To access VSBA School Board U, please visit the secure section of the VSBA website. You will need a log in and password to access this section. School board members and division staff, please check your email to find the log in and password information.
Earn a Certificate in School Board U!
VSBA has created two Certificate programs available to school board members who complete certain courses of study.
Foundations of School Board Governance: This course is designed to provide a well-balanced overview of the role of a school board member and provide the basics on a broad variety of topics. We encourage you to complete this certification within the first 24 months of becoming a board member, or if you would like a refresher on Board Governance. This certificate contains six required courses and two electives of your choosing. Click here for additional information on the Foundations of School Board Governance Certificate.
Advanced Studies in School Board Governance: This course is designed to provide a deeper dive into the role of school board members. Courses are designed to build on topics previously discussed in the 100 level courses as well as new topics. This certificate should be completed after you have completed the Foundations Track. This certificate contains five required courses and two electives of your choosing. Click here for additional information on the Advanced Studies in School Board Governance Certificate.
All courses must be completed within 24 months to earn a Certificate.
For additional information about VSBA’s School Board U, please contact Samantha Bosserman, director of communications and board development at samantha@vsba.org of 1-800-446-8722 x3.
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VSBA Announces School Finance Training Opportunities
Contributed by Dr. Michael Thornton
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The Virginia School Boards Association recognizes the important role that school boards play in the effective governance and leadership of local school divisions. Among the many governance responsibilities of school boards is that of ensuring that local school divisions implement sound fiscal and financial management policies and practices that promote transparency and engender public trust.
To that end, the VSBA is committed to identifying and developing relevant and practical professional development opportunities in the area of school finance for both new and veteran school board members. Below is a list of current professional development offerings designed to increase school board member’s knowledge and proficiency in the area school finance:
Budget Basics for New School Boards (One-Hour Session)
The School Board’s Role in School Finance (Half-Day Session)
The Basics of Effective Budget Presentations (One-Hour Session)
Best Practices in Budget Monitoring and Control (One-Hour Session)
Budget Basics for New School Board Members is a one-hour session designed to provide new members with a basic and broad introduction and understanding of public school finance in Virginia.
The School Board’s Role in School Finance was launched this past spring as a half-day webinar. This session is designed to take a “deeper dive” into the critical governance role that the school board should play in the effective and efficient oversight and management of the school division’s limited fiscal resources. The more advanced topics covered in this half-day session include: (1) The School Board’s and Superintendent’s Respective Governance and Administrative Roles and Responsibilities in Local School Division Finance; (2) A Detailed Review of State Revenue by Sources and Categories; (3) the Annual Budget Development Process; and (4) Current Issues and Concerns in Virginia School Finance.
The Basics of Effective Budget Presentations is another one-hour session designed to provide school board members with an understanding of the essential elements of effective budget presentations. Specifically, this session provides a look at some strategies for school boards and school divisions to effectively present the budget needs and requests of the school system to the local appropriating bodies. This session focuses on the importance that critical data points, relationship building, communication strategies, and trust play in the budget presentation process.
NEW! Best Practices in Budget Monitoring and Control is a new one-hour session to be offered at this year’s Annual Convention in November. This session will provide school board members and superintendents with some strategies and processes to effectively monitor the division’s budget status throughout the fiscal year.
The above described professional development opportunities that have been designed specifically for our members to assist you in the very important role that you play in the effective stewardship of your division’s limited financial and operational resources.
Thank you for all that you do to support public education.
-MT
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J.T. Kessler, Government Relations Specialist |
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Virginia General Assembly Special Session
The Virginia General Assembly convened for a Special Session on August 18, 2020. The session was called by Governor Ralph Northam to address revisions to the Biennium Budget due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy. In addition to the budget, lawmakers have set an ambitious agenda to tackle criminal justice reform and benefits for individuals affected by the pandemic. At the time of this newsletter, the legislature has not adjourned, and it is unclear when the session will end. Please continue to check the VSBA Legislative Update Blog for the latest reports from the General Assembly. In the next VSBA newsletter, I will provide a thorough breakdown on the Special Session.
November is “VSBA Take Your Legislator to School” Month
To promote a closer relationship between public education and the Virginia State Legislature, the Virginia School Boards Association urges each school division in the state to invite at least one of their state legislators to visit their schools during the month of November. There are many benefits from participating in VSBA Take Your Legislator to School Month, including developing closer relationships between school divisions, local communities and our elected officials, as well as creating opportunities for productive dialogue so that educational and political leaders can work together to ensure that we provide the best possible education for our students. In addition, when legislators engage with your school community as part of VSBA Take Your Legislator to School Month, local students will have the opportunity to interact with elected officials and learn about the important roles and responsibilities of Virginia General Assembly members. Almost like a field trip, a meeting with your local legislator creates many different “teachable moments.”
Every year, legislators serving in the General Assembly meet to discuss issues of concern to their constituents and the Commonwealth. Hearing directly from community leaders like you helps inform and craft the legislative agenda during session. When meeting with your elected representatives, feel free to engage in frank and honest conversations on both your successes and the challenges you face in education today. Issues like workforce development, challenging school environments, student discipline, and teacher recruitment and retention are all likely to be addressed in one way or another this coming January. This is your opportunity to seize the initiative.
This year, we have updated our Take Your Legislator to School Guide to include ways to hold virtual meetings with your legislators. We hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity to strengthen the already solid bond between public education and the Virginia General Assembly. These activities cannot help but aid VSBA as it lobbies on your behalf on education issues. Thank you for all that you do as a leader, advocate, and supporter of public education.
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Registration Open for the VSBA Annual 5k Fun Run/Walk |
Join us for the 17th Annual/1st Virtual VSBA 5K! Even though we can’t all be together in Williamsburg, that doesn’t mean we can’t still run or walk “together.” Let’s show our VSBA pride by running or walking a 5K in your own community sometime before November 19.
Rules are simple –
1. Register before November 18. Be sure to provide your home or business address where a t-shirt can be mailed to you. T-shirts will be mailed out to individuals the week you register. First 100 to register receive a t-shirt.
2. Map out your own 5K course (3.1 miles) and then report back to us on your time and whether you ran or walked. Once you finish, submit your time. All times must be posted no later than 10 am on November 19.
3. Post a photo on social media with the hashtag #virtualVSBA5K or email your photo to jessica@vsba.org and VSBA will post on their social media. If you post your own photos don’t forget to tag VSBA. Print out the “I did it” poster (color | b&w) and capture that in your photo.
Categories and prizes (don’t forget that you must be registered to be eligible):
- The fastest runner and walker in each age group for men and women.
- New – most hilly – send a photo of your hilly climb.
- New – most exciting encounters with nature – send us a photo of what you encountered on your run/walk.
- New – hottest or coldest run – Was it really hot or cold the day you participated? Share the temperature of when you ran or walked and we’ll award the brave souls who got out there even when it was hot or really cold.
- New – Team Spirit – most people from a particular division to run or walk – you don’t need to run or walk together, just the most people who register and then submit their times.
- New – Best Individual Spirit – send us a photo of your running outfit displaying your school/division pride.
- Most runs or walks between when you register and November 19 – just email us a total number of days that you ran or walked at least 5K. The earlier you register the more your chances increase.
***All awards photos should be submitted to Jessica Blythe at jessica@vsba.org***
All awards will be announced at the Friday, November 20 during the VSBA Annual Convention Closing Session. Tune in to see if you won!
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Elizabeth Ewing, Director, Legal and Policy Services |
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An Introduction to the New Title IX Regulations |
Background
Title IX states:
No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
As you can see, Title IX does not directly mention sexual harassment. However, the scope of the law is very broad and it is well-recognized that sexual harassment is one of the many things it addresses. Title IX is enforced by the Office for Civil Rights in the federal Department of Education.
In November 2018, OCR proposed new Title IX regulations. As part of the approval process for the proposed regulations, OCR received almost 125,000 comments totaling over 2,000 pages.
The proposals were designed to address sexual harassment and due process concerns raised primarily by higher education students. Although the regulations impose different rules on K12 institutions than on institutions of higher education in a few instances, most of the regulations apply equally to K12 and higher ed.
The final regulations were released on May 6, 2020. They became effective on August 14. Several lawsuits were filed seeking to delay the effective date of the regulations but initial rulings in each case have denied that relief. Although the lawsuits are proceeding, it is unlikely that they will result in suspension of the new regulations. Thus, school boards need to implement the new regulations.
Why are we hearing so much about these regulations?
The new regulations were announced and became effective while most school divisions were completely focused on how to deal with the pandemic. That timing is making it even more difficult than it would otherwise have been for school boards to devote the necessary attention to the new requirements.
In addition, the new regulations change the rules regarding Title IX in several critical ways. They require school divisions to alter how they handle complaints of sexual harassment involving students or staff. They require additional personnel to be involved in investigations and will fundamentally alter the procedures most divisions follow in investigating sexual harassment complaints. The new regulations are lengthy and complex; the following is a brief summary of some of the things in the new regulations that it is important for school board members to know.
New definition of sexual harassment prohibited by Title IX
The definition of sexual harassment in the new regulations is slightly more narrow than the definition previously used by OCR. For example, one portion of the new definition is “unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, AND objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access” to the school division’s education program or activity. (Emphasis added.) The definition used previously required conduct to be “so severe, pervasive OR objectively offensive” that it denied access to the program or activity. (Emphasis added.) Although this change is important for Title IX purposes, it is equally important to remember that conduct that met the old definition may still need to be addressed through other means, such as the division’s student conduct policy and regulation.
New requirements for a grievance process
The new regulations require every division to have a grievance process. They also provide a great deal of detail regarding what must happen as part of that process. One thing that will be new for most Virginia divisions is the requirement that both the complainant and the respondent must be given an opportunity to submit written input at several stages of the grievance process. Both parties must also get notice of all investigative interviews and the chance to participate in them, the chance to inspect and review all evidence, and the chance to review and respond to the preliminary investigative report before the final report is prepared. Both parties must also be given the opportunity to provide written statements that must be considered on appeal.
Staff members cannot play multiple roles in an investigation
The new regulations require investigations to be done by investigators who prepare a written report and turn it over to a decision-maker who makes a determination of responsibility. The investigator and the decision-maker cannot be the same person. In addition, if either party decides to appeal the determination of responsibility, the appeal decision-maker cannot be the same person as the original decision-maker. Prior to the new regulations, in many divisions the same person did the investigation and made the decision regarding whether Title IX had been violated.
New training requirements
Title IX Coordinators, investigators, decision-makers and any one who facilitates an informal resolution process must receive training on the definition of sexual harassment prohibited by Title IX, the scope of the school board’s education program and activities, and how to conduct an investigation and grievance process, including appeals. They must also receive training on how to serve impartially including by avoiding prejudgment of the facts, conflicts of interest, and bias. In addition, decision-makers must receive training on issues of relevance of questions and evidence, including when questions and evidence about the complainant’s sexual predisposition or prior sexual behavior are not relevant. Investigators must receive training on issues of relevance in order to create investigative reports that fairly summarize the evidence.
In addition, divisions may choose to provide training to all staff in order to enable the division and its Title IX Coordinator to meet Title IX obligations. Such training could include some or all of the following: how to recognize sexual harassment, the definition of sexual harassment, the scope of the division’s education program or activity, all relevant district policies and procedures, and the necessity to promptly forward all reports of sexual harassment to the Title IX Coordinator.
New procedural requirements and recordkeeping rules
Under the new regulations, the burden of proof is on the school division, not on either party. In other words, a person who makes a complaint of sexual harassment is not required to convince the division that sexual harassment happened. Instead, the burden is on the division to develop and fairly consider all relevant evidence.
In addition, the new regulations explicitly establish that the person accused of sexual harassment is presumed to be innocent until a determination of responsibility is made.
Records of investigations (including determinations of responsibility, disciplinary sanctions and remedies), appeals, and informal resolutions must be retained for 7 years. In addition, all materials used to train staff members involved in Title IX proceedings must also be retained for seven years. Training materials must also be made available on the division’s website.
The standard of evidence must be the same for cases involving students as it is for cases involving staff
The regulations permit school divisions to use either the preponderance of the evidence standard or the clear and convincing evidence standard. VSBA thinks that most, if not all, divisions in Virginia are choosing to use the preponderance of the evidence standard. In choosing which standard to use, school boards should remember that the regulations require the same standard to be used in cases involving students as is used in cases involving staff members. It may be especially important to remember this as Virginia school boards begin the collective bargaining process next year. If a board agrees to use the clear and convincing standard for staff members, it must also use it for cases involving students. And, if a board adopts a Title IX policy adopting the preponderance of the evidence standard, it will have to change that policy if it agrees to use the clear and convincing standard for employees as a result of collective bargaining.
What will the impact of the new Title IX regulations be on Virginia school divisions?
Although the details will be different for every division, it is safe to say that the new regulations will require every division to devote additional staff time to keeping up with the new training, recordkeeping, and documentation requirements. Divisions which have not previously had a Title IX Coordinator must name one. Most divisions will also need to designate staff people to serve as investigators, decision-makers, facilitators of informal resolution proceedings, and appeal decision-makers. Investigations will look very different because the rules require both parties (the complainant and the respondent) to have an opportunity to participate in every witness interview and to provide written input into the determination of responsibility and to the decision on appeal, if the determination is appealed. Those requirements may result in what some students, parents, and staff members perceive to be more drawn-out proceedings than the division was accustomed to under the prior regulations.
Conclusion
The new Title IX regulations went into effect on August 14. They are lengthy and complex and this article covers only a few of the regulations’ requirements. Each school division is required to appoint a Title IX Coordinator whose responsibilities include coordinating the division’s compliance with Title IX. Each school board will undoubtedly be hearing more about how the new regulations impact the division from the superintendent and the Title IX Coordinator.
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2020 VSBA Media Honor Roll |
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Reporters and local media outlets play an important role in public education. School division leaders rely on responsible reporting by local media representatives so that our community members receive timely information about division initiatives and programs. Considering the impact that media coverage can have on community attitudes and beliefs, the Media Honor Roll was created to recognize fair and balanced reporting about our schools and Virginia’s public education system.
Each year, in the early Fall, the VSBA Media Honor Roll recognizes media representatives in three categories: print, radio, and television.
Criteria for honorees include the following:
- Makes the effort to get to know the superintendent and board chair.
- Understands the division’s mission and goals.
- Reports school news in a manner that is fair, accurate, and balanced.
- Gives a high-profile position to good news about schools.
- Regularly visits the schools, attends board meetings, etc.
- Maintains a policy of “no surprises” by sharing information with school representatives.
Congratulations to this year's honorees:
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Alleghany County
Darrell Gleason, The Virginian Review
Jerry Clark, The Alleghany Journal
Appomattox County
Brhett Vickery, ABC13 WSET-TV
Danner Evans, ABC13 WSET-TV
Bath County
Mike Bollinger, The Recorder
Abby DuFour, Alleghany Mountain Radio
Larry O’Rourke, The Virginian Review
Botetourt County
Alia Boyd, The Fincastle Herald
Cathy Benson, The Boutetourt Bee
Bristol City
David McGee, Bristol Herald Courier
Caroline County
Dawn Haun, Free Lance Star
Covington City
Jerome Johnson, The Virginian Review
Jerry Clark, Alleghany Journal
Gregory A. Howard, Highlands Media Group
Culpeper County
J.D. Dlade, 103.1 WJMA Radio
Culpeper Media Network
Culpeper Star-Exponent
Cumberland County
Laura McFarland, Cumberland Today
Alexa Massey, The Farmville Herald
Falls Church City
Nicholas Benton, Falls Church News Press
Matt Delaney, Falls Church News Press
Franklin City
Stephen Cowles, The Tidewater News
Bert Schmidt, WHRO
Michael Clark, WLQM-FM Radio
Gloucester County
Kim Robins, Gloucester-Mathews Gazette Journal
WXGM 99.1
Louisa County,
David Holtzman, The Central Virginian Newspaper
Pamela Garrison, 99.7 CYK Radio
Daniel Myrick, CBS19 News
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Lynchburg City
Olivia Johnson, The News & Advance
Madison County
Gracie Hart Brooks, Madison Eagle
Mathews County
Charles Koenig, Gloucester-Mathews Gazette
Middlesex County
Tom Hardin, Southside Sentinel
Montgomery County
Jen Cardone, WDBJ7
New Kent County
Andre Jones, New Kent Charles City Chronicle
Newport News City
Janet Roach, WVEC
Niko Clemmons, WVEC
Orange County
Hillary Holladay, Orange County Review
Petersburg City
Sean Jones, Progress- Index Newspaper
Karla Redditte, NBC 12 WWBT-TV
Pittsylvania County
Lanie Davis, Star-Tribune
Prince George County
Michael Campbell, The Prince George Journal
Prince William County
Eileen Whelan, WJLA
Kellye Lynn, WJLA
Radford City
Jenna Zipton, WSLS10
Jessica Jewell, WSLS10
Jen Cardone, WDBJ7
Smyth County
Linda Burchette, Smyth County News & Messenger
Suffolk City
Jimmy LaRoue, Suffolk News-Herald
Tazewell County
Charlie Booth, Bluefield Daily Telegraph
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Henry County Board Member Chosen as
2021 VSBA President-elect Nominee
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Teddy Martin II, VSBA Blue Ridge Regional Chair, Henry County SChool Board |
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The VSBA Nominating Committee has selected Teddy Martin II, a member of the Henry County School Board, as the association’s 2021 president-elect nominee. If elected by the VSBA Delegate Assembly at the Annual Convention in November, Martin will serve a year as president-elect before becoming president in 2022.
Martin has served on his local board since 2017. On his local board he has served on the Strategic Planning Committee as well as having earned the Award of Distinction every year. At VSBA, Martin has served as Chair of the Blue Ridge Region the last two years as well as Co-Chair of the VSBA Task Force on Workforce Readiness. He also serves on the VSBA Executive Committee.
Teddy is employed at Patrick Henry Community College in Martinsville, Virginia as the Human Resources Generalist. He has been with PHCC since 2016. Martin is a 2006 graduate of Henry County Public Schools.
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Registration is now Open for the Virtual 2020 VSBA Annual Convention! |
The VSBA Annual Convention is the largest and most anticipated VSBA meeting of the year. While this year our Annual Convention may look a little different, and we won't get to see your smiling faces in person, we hope you'll find our event schedule to be just as enriching and educational as always. This event brings together school board members, superintendents, and school division staff from across Virginia. There are plenty of opportunities for you to immerse yourself in learning. Attend general sessions, choose from over thirty hot topic seminars pertinent to public education issues, have the opportunity to meet with businesses dedicated to serving schools, and much more.
Check out the brochure above!
Don't forget these other great events:
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WATCH NOW: President Jordan Accepts the 2020 Benjamin Elijah Mays Lifetime Achievement Award at the CUBE 2020 Annual Virtual Conference |
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Samantha Bosserman
Director of Communications & Board Development
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Communications Tips: Social Media
Social Media is a very hot topic right now, especially when it comes to how to use social media while on the school board. Below are some tips and additional resources than can assist you in your work.
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Know your school board social media norms and protocols. Check your protocols to see how your board uses social media. If you do not have a norm or protocol on social media, speak with board members to determine their level of comfort with social media and determine if a formal norm or protocol is needed.
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Let the school division communicate any official messages out about the division first! The school division staff should be the first to relay important information out to the community. Feel free to share the post or information once it has been officially released, but do not try to get ahead of the division when crafting any messages regarding important announcement on social media.
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Don’t fall into the tagging trap. Community members will tag you in posts on social media to try to get a response from you. Treat this situation as you would if you overheard something in the community. If it is at a high enough level, ensure the Superintendent knows what is going on so he/she is aware of the situation.
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Do not engage in debate on social media. If someone wishes to talk to you about an issue, encourage them to call you to discuss the issue. Having a public debate on social media is not the best way to have a conversation.
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Post only what you would feel comfortable seeing on a billboard tomorrow. This goes for comments, posts that you share, and anything that you associate with.
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Share positive information. Use social media to share positive information about the school division. Share already published posts and positive articles from the media- it is a great resource to get positive information out into the community.
For additional information on social media and other communication tips, a recorded webinar is available!
If you have legal questions about social media, please contact your school board attorney.
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VSBA Profile in Leadership- Meet Barbara Kanninen, VSBA Board of Directors, Northeastern Region Chair
Where is your hometown?
My hometown is Columbus, Ohio.
How long have you been a school board member?
I have been a school board member for five years I began on January 1, 2015.
Who inspires you?
The students of course! They inspire and amaze me with their creativity, resilience, and can-do spirit.
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Barbara Kanninen
Arlington County School Board Member
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What is your motto as a Board Member?
"Stay honest, be smart, and care. The public will be the better for it." - Gordon Chase, author.
What is your pie-in-the-sky vision for education?
As much personal support as possible. Every child deserves a champion who will support and believe in them and help them with access to resources.
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment as a school board member?
I feel that teacher morale has been restored during my time on the School Board. I’ve pressed to ensure their voices are included in our processes and that they receive compensation increases every year.
What is your advice for new school board members?
I have two pieces of advice
- Know your swim lane. The superintendent runs your school system. School Boards ensure that the school system is run well.
- Keep your own priorities and your Board’s Strategic Plan in mind at all times. Don’t let the day-to-day emails and advocacies distract you from your main purpose and the high-level goals.
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October is VSBA Bullying Prevention Month |
In an effort to promote awareness of school bullying, the VSBA Board of Directors has designated the month of October as VSBA Bullying Prevention Month. Childhood bullying is a significant problem nationwide. It can cause school absenteeism, mental and physical stress, poor school performance, poor self-esteem, and in some cases, school violence. Students who experience bullying are at increased risk for depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, lower academic achievement, and dropping out of school. Bullying can also happen online. Reports of cyberbullying among public school attending students are highest for middle school (33%), followed by high school (30%), combined schools (20%) and primary schools (5%). School board members, superintendents, teachers, and parents play a critical role in creating a climate where bullying is not tolerated. It has been proven when adults and children stand together, bullying ends.
To view the Guide for Bullying Prevention month please click here.
VSBA President Rodney Jordan has created a PSA to encourage participation in VSBA Bullying Prevention Month.
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First Ever VSBA Virtual Book Club |
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The First Ever VSBA Virtual Book Club met in September to discuss the book Start With Why by Simon Sinek. The hour-long discussion was filled with insights from school board members including how important it is to find your “why”, what can happen if you lose your “why” and how important trust and authentic leadership are while serving on the school board.
The next Virtual Book Club will be held in conjunction with the VSBA Annual Convention and we will be reading the book: Improving School Board Effectiveness: A Balanced Governance Approach by Thomas Alsbury and Phil Gore. Stay tuned for additional information soon!
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Division Spotlight: Louisa County Public Schools
In each newsletter VSBA will spotlight a recent initiative or best practice taking place in a school division in Virginia. If you have a story you would like to submit for inclusion in the spotlight section of the VSBA Newsletter, please contact Samantha Bosserman, director of communications and board development, for more information. We look forward to hearing about the great things going on in your divisions.
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A School Year Like Never Before
Submitted by Louisa County Public Schools
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It’s midday on Thursday, September 3, and kindergartner Reagan Grigg is looking for the final piece of the puzzle that will make the pizza in front of her perfect. It’s a tough choice. Within reaching distance there are the lines of sausage she measured out to size. Five pieces of pepperonis -- which she counted out all by herself -- are also an option.
But finally, she makes a decision many can appreciate: bacon. She selects three pieces, adds them to her pizza, and then slides it into the oven beside her.
“Mine is going to taste the best,” Grigg says, beaming with pride as she does.
But what makes Grigg’s experience so fun is the fact that she didn’t even have to leave her classroom. Her teacher, Whitney Smith, spent the afternoon beforehand transforming her classroom into a pizzeria. The top of each desk was decorated like a restaurant table, while the opening underneath the desk becoming a makeshift oven!
The lesson was a win-win: Smith and her fellow kindergarten teachers at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Louisa County made math fun and interactive, and the students ended their day by tossing their finished creations into their own pizza boxes to take home!
The lesson is just one of the many that Louisa County Public Schools teachers have utilized already this school year to let students know one thing for certain: learning is back in action!
“Our pizzeria plays a huge role in showing our students that school can still be fun,” Smith said. “Transforming our rooms, giving students a menu, playing Italian music, and having them take on the role of a chef engages them in the learning. That’s what it’s all about.
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With the 2020-2021 school year now underway, unique and innovative lessons are more important than ever. True to form, LCPS teachers have risen to the occasion. A few weeks into the school year, Trevilians Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Megan Barrett held a book-tasting event for her students. In a book-tasting event, teachers transform their classrooms into restaurants while students “sample” books of different genres. The strategy helps students learn to identify themes, plot structure, and more!
“The lesson brought a sense of normalcy back to my classroom,” said Barrett, while donning a chef’s hat. “Even though so many things are different in our lives right now, we can still give students hands-on, unique learning experiences in a safe way.”
The innovation isn’t just reserved for in-school instruction either. Approximately 33% of LCPS students are attending fully online classes for the 2020-2021 school year. Though LCPS Virtual Academy is in its first year, Moss-Nuckols Elementary School teacher April Whipp is navigating the new frontier like a savvy veteran. She’s unpacked complex topics -- such as inertia -- by posting engaging videos of experiments on YouTube.
“Honestly, it’s been a blast finding unique ways to get lessons to my students virtually,” Whipp said. “My students love YouTube and other video sharing websites, so I’m trying to lean into that interest in any way I can by creating fun and engaging video lessons.
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There’s no question: education looks vastly different now than it did for school divisions just one year ago. When Louisa County Public Schools began the school year on August 13th, superintendent Doug Straley said he knew teachers would play an integral role in helping students -- and the community as a whole -- feel some sense of normalcy in their lives.
“Our teachers and our staff here at LCPS are heroes,” Straley said. “Educators all across Virginia are having to deal with unforeseen circumstances, so it makes it all that more special this year when you walk through our schools and see teachers leading lessons that aren’t just informative, but also fun and innovative. It’s inspirational.”
It’s also not something that happens overnight. During the 2018-2019 school year, LCPS debuted a new action committee called “IGNITE.” Made up of teachers and administrators, the committee traveled to all of the division’s six schools over the course of the school year to host what effectively were pep rallies for teachers, encouraging them to incorporate The Virginia Department of Education’s 5 Cs (Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Citizenship) n lessons whenever possible. The sessions helped reinforce a belief throughout the division that students are more than just test-takers; they are dreamers, doers, leaders, and innovators.
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When Louisa County Public Schools launched its “IGNITE” initiative, it also launched a brand new “Profile of a Graduate" website to highlight lessons that promoted The 5 Cs. The 2020-2021 school year may be unique, but it’s business as usual on the site. Each week, new highlight videos and articles are uploaded, and the site serves as a source of inspiration for teachers division-wide.
Straley -- and the educators at Louisa County Public Schools -- wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It is such a privilege to be able to work with our students,” said Straley. “It’s more apparent now than ever.”
“And you know what?” he adds. “We’re going to make the magic happen.”
RESOURCES:
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The VSBA COVID-19 Resources website and weekly newsletter are sponsored by BPA
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Week of September 21-25, 2020 |
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Resources, News & Updates |
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We have compiled a multitude of resources for school board members, and school divisions to consult. For the entire collection please visit the VSBA COVID-19 resource page available at the link below.
In addition we have compiled a list of at-home learning resources that are available online for students who are home due to COVID-19. This list will be updated as additional resources become available. This is not an exclusive list, nor does this constitute an endorsement by VSBA for any of the included programs.
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Improvement Science in the Time of COVID-19 webinar...
With the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically altering the structures, rhythms, and routines of K-12 education, the Carnegie Foundation hosted a webinar series- Improvement Science in the Time of COVID-19 -that looked at how university-district...
Read more
hub.carnegiefoundation.org
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Green Public Schools Challenge
The Green Public Schools Challenge is a friendly competition designed to encourage implementation of specific environmental policies and practical actions that reduce the carbon emissions generated by both the local school division and the broader community. School Divisions can become a certified "Green School Division." Many of these actions can save local school divisions money. For additional information and to view background information for the actions included in the challenge, click here. To participate in the VSBA Green Public Schools challenge by submitting your entry online, click here. For answers to a few frequently asked questions view the document here.
Complete the Challenge by September 30, 2020. The certifications will be announced during the VSBA Annual Convention in November.
If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Blythe, director of membership services at (434) 295-8722 ext. 7 or jessica@vsba.org.
Thank you to our sponsors, Moseley Architects and ABM!
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Student Video Contest
The Virginia School Boards Association is asking Virginia high school students to express their thoughts and ideas around the theme “How Virtual Learning Changed My School Year” through our ninth annual student video contest. Students are invited to submit a 30-second video that conveys the contest theme. The top 3 videos, along with those identified by the judges as honorable mentions, will be posted on VSBA’s YouTube site, and winners will be honored at the VSBA Annual Convention in November.
For more information on how to submit video entries, please see here. PLEASE NOTE: Only ONE submission per school division will be accepted.
The submission deadline is October 5, 2020. **Each student participant listed must complete a Release Form**
If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Blythe, director of membership services at jessica@vsba.org or by calling 434-295-8722.
Thank you to our sponsor, Haney Phinyowattanachip PLLC!
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News Tidbits: Stories and Studies from Around the Country |
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Pandemics and Policy: Decentralize K-12 Education
For students and parents hoping to return to a normal schooling environment, state lawmakers should be providing as much flexibility in the meantime as possible. Neal McCluskey discusses his recommendations from his Pandemics and Policy essay.
Read more
www.cato.org
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K-12 Education amid the Pandemic: What Levers Best...
For many, public school this year again means remote instruction. What are educators learning about remote instruction, and how might it inform future practice?
Read more
nonprofitquarterly.org
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K-12 Parents' Satisfaction With Child's Education Slips
Story Highlights Satisfaction with child's education drops 10 percentage points, to 72% Percentage of K-12 parents home-schooling this year has doubled, to 10% 50% of Americans are satisfied with quality of K-12 education in U.S. WASHINGTON, D.C.
Read more
news.gallup.com
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VSBA Affiliate Member Profiles
In each Issue of the VSBA Newsletter, we will feature three VSBA Affiliate Members.
Thank you for your support of the VSBA and Virginia's public education system.
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Chesapeake Marketing (MidChes)
High performance security solutions from video surveillance, intercom, intrusion detection, public address, call center furniture and more.
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Energy Systems Group, LLC (ESG)
For over 25 years, ESG has provided the K-12 community with infrastructure improvements to improve the learning environment and lengthen the life expectancy of your facilities.
Cheryl Midkiff
Phone: (434) 333-5025
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Forecast5 Analytics
Decision support and data analytics solutions for school division leaders.
Eric Smith
Phone: 630-955-7551
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UPCOMING EVENTS, WORKSHOPS, & WEBINARS |
Thursday, September 24, 2020, 9:00 AM- 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Virtual Conference
DETAIL: Now, more than ever, school board member voices need to be heard! The stakes for public education have never been greater and school board members must be prepared to advocate effectively for public schools. Join VSBA at our 2020 Legislative Advocacy Conference where you will gain valuable insight into the issues that promise to have lasting impacts on the Commonwealth and nation. This premier virtual conference will inform and educate school board members as leaders from Virginia and across the country discuss the Commonwealth’s new collective bargaining law, ideas for addressing the Homework Gap, a glimpse into the crystal ball on how current events will influence the direction of the 2021 General Assembly, and much more. Participants will gain valuable perspectives on how to be effective advocates for education when interacting with policymakers at all levels of government. This virtual conference also includes a training session on FOIA to meet the new requirements for elected school board members.
Cost: $175 per registration (multiple registrations needed if viewing from multiple devices/locations).
Tuesday, September 29, 2020, 12:00 PM-1:00 PM
LOCATION: Online Webinar
DETAIL: Join VSBA and Millennium Enterprise Corporation for this live webinar. We will be discussing the top 5 questions school board members should be asking in regard to school division cybersecurity. You don’t want to miss this informative webinar. Register now and submit your questions for presenters Minh and Michael to address in their presentation.
Cost: Free (multiple registrations needed if viewing from multiple devices/locations).
Tuesday, October 6, 2020, 12:00 PM-1:00 PM
VSBA Webinar The Top 10 Things Every Board Member Should Know About Parliamentary Procedure
LOCATION: Online Webinar
DETAIL: Join us and Ms. Mary Loose Deviney for a live webinar on October 6, 2020, at 12:00 noon to learn the top ten parliamentary procedures that every board member should know. Parliamentary procedure can be tricky to learn, but Ms. Deviney, a Professional Registered and Licensed Parliamentarian, will lend guidance on each of these procedures and why it’s so important for board members to know. We hope that you will join us for a very informative session!
Cost: $150 per registration (multiple registrations needed if viewing from multiple devices/locations).
Wednesday, October 7, 2020, 9:00 AM- 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Virtual Conference
DETAIL: Are you prepared to evaluate your superintendent? The Guidelines for Uniform Performance Standards and Evaluation Criteria for Superintendents developed by the Virginia Department of Education provide a wealth of information regarding the requirements. Filtering through this document to determine what is required and what is optional requires focused attention. For some, the changes to their current evaluation model may be minor, while others face major revisions in order to be in compliance with the regulations.
This workshop is designed to provide small group support to superintendents and board members responsible for assessing and updating their evaluation model. Participants will have the opportunity to review the guidelines in detail and then use them as they draft their own models. Individual consultation and support will be provided after the session as participants work on their revisions.
Cost: $165 per registration (multiple registrations needed if viewing from multiple devices/locations).
Wednesday, October 14, 2020, 12:00 PM- 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Virtual Conference
DETAIL: In the age of COVID-19, less is more when it comes to learning and safety in the classroom, facilities maintenance, and overall administration of school districts. District leadership and staff are navigating hybrid learning models, increased facility maintenance requirements in order to comply with CDC guidelines; and the need to sustain safe and supportive environments. All of this in order to protect and support a district staff and the community that supports them. Join us as we discuss how Community ISD (TX) utilized sustainable equipment and moving services to reconfigure the classroom, facilities, to enhance the culture of learning. There will be a panel portion of the presentation included.
Cost: Free (multiple registrations needed if viewing from multiple devices/locations).
Thursday, November 5, 2020, 9:00 AM- 2:30 PM
LOCATION: Virtual Conference
DETAIL: The Virginia School Boards Association would like to invite you to a workshop for school board members, education foundation professionals, volunteers and those interested in starting an education foundation in your school division. The workshop will feature education foundation representatives from across Virginia. Presenters will be addressing important topics such as: building blocks for starting an education foundation, the importance of building partnerships within their communities during the time of COVID-19, and communicating with the community about your foundation. Additionally, there will be the opportunity to hear from a panel of representatives about this work, and a time for idea sharing. Whether you are just getting started, or are well established, join us as we learn together and network.
Cost: $190 (multiple registrations needed if viewing from multiple devices/locations).
Thursday, November 12, 2020, 9:00 AM- 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Virtual Conference
DETAIL: Calling all School Board Clerks! You do not want to miss out on the Annual Fall Workshop for School Board Clerks. During this workshop you will receive important legal updates, an update from one of your colleagues on the new database with some tips & tricks, receive updates from a COIA council member, enter our door prize drawings, discuss some very relevant hot topics, and much more! In addition, all clerks who attend the conference will have the opportunity to attend ALL the VSBA Annual Convention general sessions
Cost: $175 (multiple registrations needed if viewing from multiple devices/locations).
Tuesday, November 17, 2020, 10:00 AM- 2:30 PM
LOCATION: Virtual Conference
DETAIL: For the past fifteen years, the Virginia School Boards Association has hosted the ever-popular student school board representative session. This workshop will feature various topics, including various break out sessions, advocacy, leadership, and serving as a student representative. This year the workshop will take place on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Students are also invited to join the Wednesday General Session, featuring Alex Sheen from because I said I would. Attendees will also receive a Because I Said I Would wristband for attending the student workshop.
Cost: $175 (multiple registrations needed if viewing from multiple devices/locations).
November 18-20, 2020
LOCATION: Virtual Conference
DETAIL: The VSBA Annual Convention is the largest and most anticipated VSBA meeting of the year. While this year our Annual Convention may look a little different, and we won't get to see your smiling faces in person, we hope you'll find our event schedule to be just as enriching and educational as always. This event brings together school board members, superintendents, and school division staff from across Virginia. There are plenty of opportunities for you to immerse yourself in learning. Attend general sessions, choose from over thirty hot topic seminars pertinent to public education issues, have the opportunity to meet with businesses dedicated to serving schools, and much more. We hope to see you there!
Cost: $260 per registration (multiple registrations needed if viewing from multiple devices/locations).
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200 Hansen Road, Charlottesville, VA 22911
Tel: 434-295-8722 Fax: 434-295-8785
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